Lagos residents experienced unprecedented traffic congestion on Wednesday as security measures for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) 50th anniversary summit brought movement across the city to a virtual standstill.

The high-profile event, held at Eko Hotels and Suites, prompted authorities to cordon off strategic roads to facilitate the movement of West African heads of state and other delegates, resulting in severe gridlock that paralyzed major routes across the metropolis.

Traffic along key areas including Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Lekki, and parts of the Mainland moved at an excruciatingly slow pace, with journey times extending from minutes to hours. Many frustrated commuters abandoned public transportation altogether, opting to complete their journeys on foot.

Commuters Share Their Ordeal

A driver identified as Ayomide told reporters, "I spent nearly four hours in this hold up, something that usually takes 20 minutes. We understand that hosting presidents is important, but the government should have informed people properly or made alternative arrangements."

Commercial drivers were particularly affected by the situation. Some parked their vehicles in protest, citing concerns about fuel wastage amid current high prices. "No movement, no customers, and fuel is now over N900 per litre in some stations," lamented Ademola Seyi, a danfo driver operating on the Obalende–CMS route.

The impact on pedestrians was equally severe. Ronke Odugbemi, a trader heading to Balogun Market, described having to trek from Ozumba Mbadiwe to Tinubu Square while carrying her goods. "I carried my goods on my head for over an hour. Even okadas were not allowed to pass. It's madness," she said.

Official Response

Despite the visible presence of police officers and Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) officials attempting to control the situation, their efforts were overwhelmed by the sheer volume of vehicles and the complexity of managing traffic diversions.

LASTMA spokesperson Adebayo Taofiq acknowledged the challenges, attributing the severe congestion to necessary diversions implemented for the ECOWAS Summit. He assured the public that traffic officials were strategically positioned throughout affected areas to manage the situation as effectively as possible.

The incident has sparked debate about the planning and communication surrounding major diplomatic events in Lagos, with many residents questioning whether sufficient notice and alternative transportation arrangements could have mitigated the widespread disruption.